Clarke 195TE, Operating & Maintenance Manual

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14
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
A comprehensive range of CLARKE safety equipment for use when
welding is available from your local dealer.
MIG WELDING - PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is a process in which a power wire electrode
is fed continuously into the weld pool at a controlled, constant rate.
The wire is connected to the positive side of a rectified voltage supply. The
workpiece is connected to the negative side of the supply.
When the wire is fed, it comes into contact with the workpiece and an arc
is struck. The arc melts the wire and the material, fusing it together.
The wire, which is fed by the wire feed motor is fed into the weld pool,
burning itself off at a rate dependent upon the selected wire feed speed.
To protect the weld pool from oxidation and impurities during the welding
process, a shielding gas flows over and around the weld pool. This gas flow
must be sufficient to protect the weld, but not wasteful.
NOTE:
Poor gas coverage will result in poor welding. Excessive gas
coverage is wasteful and expensive.
BENEFITS OF MIG WELDING
1. 50% faster welding time.
2. Operator training time kept to a minimum.
3. There is no slag removal, thus eliminating almost all post-welding
cleaning operations.
4. Minimum waste of welding consumables.
5. Overall, a faster more efficient way of getting the job done.
6. Less heat - less distortion.
7. Ability to weld thin material.